Sandy victims benefit from Eagles’ efforts

For six weeks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4315 in Colonial Beach collected food, clothing and basic necessities for victims of Hurricane Sandy in Ocean City, New Jersey. Such generosity is not unusual for an organization that came to the aid of victims of Hurricane Katrina not so long ago.
They collected 1,966 pounds of food and $1300s. They used the cash donations to purchase needed items that were not donated.
One recent Saturday, two large trucks and a van backed into the parking lot and a brigade of members loaded them for the journey to Ocean City. The food would replenish a New Jersey food bank, which was being depleted quickly. The clothing, household items, blankets and toys would go to a social service office. Dog and cat food was headed for an animal shelter.
A member wrote on the sides of the trucks, “Colonial Beach Eagles Hurricane Relief. Ocean City, here we come.” As they travelled, drivers honked their horns and gave thumbs up. On the way back from dispersing the goods, a car passed and a little girl held a sign up in the rear window that read, “Thank You.”
Members worked hard to make this happen. Local organizations and businesses also got on the bandwagon. Food Lion of Colonial Beach, Raggs, Rankins True Value, Thomas Somerville Co., VFW Post 10574, CB Girl Scouts Troop 159, Grandma’s Jewelry Box, Open Closet in Dahlgren, FOE D. Clark in Stafford, Walmart in Ferry Farms and King George, Coyne Textile Services in Richmond, Grand Rental Station of Stafford, Stafford Episcopal Church and Fasenal in Fredericksburg were among those who donated.
The Eagles are a charitable organization that raises funds every year in the fight against cancer and diabetes. How appropriate that in the Christmas Season of brotherhood and faith, the Eagles showed so much love and caring for others. Good Job, Eagles!